May 27 / 16.23 Newton Abbot

16.23

Good

Chris Wills Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 2f 110y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Chris Wills Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

10/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 09454-

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Ran well to finish a clear fourth in a Taunton handicap (2m, good) last month; has each-way claims if he can back that up but he's not easy to predict and is still a maiden after 21 starts; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

28th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:35 Newton Abbot

Saucats

10st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Course winner here (2m2f, good) in July and placed on three of his five starts since, but there have also been two heavy defeats, including when beaten 36l over C&D last time; needs more from 4lb out of the weights.

10/1

7th

11

18th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:30 Newton Abbot

Saucats

10st 3lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Eventually made his breakthrough here (2m2f, good) in July, his 25th start over hurdles; placed on three of four subsequent starts and can given another good account today but may find others better handicapped.

12/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: /33/6-

Last run: 282 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Bumper and four-time Flat (1m2f/1m4f) winner who is ideally suited by fast ground; respectable fourth on AW when last seen in February and he's on a workable mark back over hurdles; needs close look for in-form yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

18th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:30 Newton Abbot

Ocean Heights

11st 1lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Four-time Flat winner who came good over hurdles at the 12th attempt, with ready success here (2m5f, good) 11 days ago; carries 7lb penalty today but is due to go up by that amount anyway, and this drop back in trip won't be a problem.

11/2

1st

3

7th Sep 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

17:02 Newton Abbot

Ocean Heights

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Bumper winner for Lucy Wadham and four-time winner on the Flat for current stable; has been placed five times in this sphere; steps up in trip off his lowest mark over hurdles but others make greater appeal.

8/1

7th

11

23rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:08 Worcester

Ocean Heights

10st 12lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

A fair 1m4f Flat winner last May; yet to score in this sphere but comes here on the back of a good second of eight to Cawthorne Banker in 2m Uttoxeter handicap 30 days ago; enjoys a 4lb weights pull here so very much one to consider.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 241-21 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Progressive mare who has form figures of 24121 since joining Joe Tizzard and both of those wins have been at Newton Abbot; 5lb higher than for her success over C&D (good) two weeks ago but she still looks feasibly treated and could continue on an upward curve; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

Reel Orange

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Progressive mare who has form figures of 24121 since joining Joe Tizzard and both of those wins have been at Newton Abbot; 5lb higher than for her success over C&D (good) two weeks ago but she still looks feasibly treated and could continue on an upward curve; key player.

5/4

1st

2

13th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

18:00 Newton Abbot

Reel Orange

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

In this headgear combination for the first time when winning by a length over 2m1f here last month (good) and then beat all bar a Skelton-trained favourite off this 3lb higher mark; looks sure to go well.

3/1

2nd

5

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:50 Newton Abbot

Reel Orange

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Off the mark at the ninth attempt over hurdles when justifying favouritism in a C&D handicap (good; cheekpieces added) last month; there wasn't much separating the first four but a 3lb rise looks fair and her confidence should be boosted after that success; big player again in her bid to make it 2-4 for Joe Tizzard.

15/8

Form: 3/7/3

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Failed to complete in three of his four Irish points; showed some ability on hurdling debut here (2m5f, heavy) in September 2023 but he's had just two since and has been tailed off in both of them; now goes handicapping but this 9yo has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

7th Sep 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:30 Newton Abbot

Alberts Bay

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Lightly raced; ran with a degree of promise when upped in trip to finish third of six behind My Girl Katie over C&D (good to firm) 11 days ago; needs to improve again though.

8/1

3rd

5

27th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

18:42 Newton Abbot

Alberts Bay

10st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Hinted at ability on hurdles debut here (2m5f, heavy) in September 2023 but has had just three runs since and been soundly beaten in all of them, latest on handicap debut in May; hard to fancy upped in trip.

20/1

6th

4

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

Alberts Bay

11st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Failed to complete in three of his four Irish points; showed some ability on hurdling debut here (2m5f, heavy) in September 2023 but he's had just two since and has been tailed off in both of them; now goes handicapping but this 9yo has a lot to prove.

33/1

Form: PP/5/1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Six-time point winner who made it third-time lucky over hurdles when scoring on his handicap debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; up 5lb but that was a smooth success and the runner-up has franked that form since; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Worcester

Scoresby

11st 1lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Harry Ryall

Multiple point winner who has raced just four times over hurdles and won a 2m3f Fontwell handicap in May (good); disappointing off this 5lb higher mark next time but that looked too bad to be true.

15/2

7th

7

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

Scoresby

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Harry Ryall

Six-time point winner who made it third-time lucky over hurdles when scoring on his handicap debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; up 5lb but that was a smooth success and the runner-up has franked that form since; respected.

4/1

1st

7

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:12 Fontwell

Scoresby

10st 13lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Harry Ryall

Won his sixth point in March but was pulled up in his two previous races over hurdles (maiden/novice) and wouldn't be the percentage call here in his first handicap.

8/1

14/1

Form: 0/634-

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
7yo who has been beaten 24l or more in his five starts including three over hurdles; this is more realistic on handicap debut but he's taken a strong hold in his last two starts and he needs improvement with hood added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

Getone

11st 5lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

7yo who has been beaten 24l or more in his five starts including three over hurdles; this is more realistic on handicap debut but he's taken a strong hold in his last two starts and he needs improvement with hood added.

14/1

4th

1

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

17:10 Exeter

Getone

11st 4lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Lightly raced 7yo; hooded and tongue tied when a remote third of eight in 2m2f novice here for his new yard recently; lots more is required.

20/1

3rd

2

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:40 Exeter

Getone

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Daisy Hitchins

It wasn't a desperate run when beaten 24l behind a useful horse in a Tramore maiden hurdle in October (yielding); new trainer fits new headgear and lowers this 7yo's sights.

9/1

Form: 55F35- BF

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Modest form in six Flat runs and he's 0-11 over hurdles; beaten 11l when fifth at Taunton (2m, good; 15-8 favourite) in March but he went close there on his penultimate run and has claims if he recapture that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:23 Newton Abbot

St Lukes Chelsea

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Robert Walford

Modest form in six Flat runs and he's 0-11 over hurdles; beaten 11l when fifth at Taunton (2m, good; 15-8 favourite) in March but he went close there on his penultimate run and has claims if he recapture that form.

9/2

5th

3

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:15 Taunton

St Lukes Chelsea

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Robert Walford

Remains winless after 16 races (six Flat, ten over hurdles) but the last four, latest over C&D, all suggest a major role today.

2/1

3rd

9

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:10 Taunton

St Lukes Chelsea

10st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Robert Walford

Remains winless but he was running well (still close up) when falling two out in 2m Wincanton handicap in January; he ought to be thereabouts off an unchanged mark.

14/1

Form: 4649-5

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 0665-P

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Crab Road

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £109.20
Straight Forecast £83.64
Tricast £466.68
Trifecta £554.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Reel Orange

RP RATINGS:

Ocean Heights

POSTDATA:

Saucats

The Times:

St Lukes Chelsea

The Star:

Scoresby

WEST COUNTRY:

Reel Orange

Telegraph:

Reel Orange

The Guardian:

Reel Orange

Daily Mail:

Reel Orange

Daily Mirror:

Reel Orange

The Sun:

Reel Orange

Daily Record:

Reel Orange

D Express:

Ocean Heights